ESRC White Rose DTP Collaborative PhD Studentship – Joined-up Approaches to Local Emergency Planning, Preparedness, Response and Recovery University of Leeds in United Kingdom

[Fully funded studentship with a maintenance rate of £20,780 per year (full-time); part-time funding is pro-rata.]

The ESRC White Rose DTP Collaborative PhD Studentship at the University of Leeds offers an exciting opportunity to research joined-up approaches to local emergency planning, preparedness, response, and recovery. This fully funded project, in partnership with the London Resilience Unit (Greater London Authority), focuses on governance and multiagency partnership working in emergency management. The aim is to identify gaps in current practices and develop practical frameworks to strengthen governance, coordination, and collaboration in crisis response.

Key research questions include: How do statutory duties, governance, and accountability structures shape emergency planning and response? What institutional, cultural, and resource factors affect effective multiagency collaboration? What mechanisms can enhance shared understanding of risk and roles, and embed organisational learning from past emergencies into future preparedness? How can diverse forms of knowledge be integrated into formal emergency planning and response structures?

The London Resilience Unit, as the coordinating body for one of the most complex urban environments, collaborates with over 180 organisations across London to prepare for emergencies and implement lessons from major incidents such as Grenfell. This partnership provides unique access to real-world emergency management practices and policy development, especially in the context of English devolution and urban resilience.

The studentship includes a maintenance stipend of £20,780 per year (full-time), with tuition fees covered and part-time options available (pro-rata funding). Applicants should have a strong academic background in relevant fields such as political science, sociology, public health, management, or urban planning, and demonstrate interest or experience in emergency planning or governance. English language proficiency may be required for non-native speakers.

The application deadline is 11 March 2026 (17:00 UK time). Interested candidates should complete the online application form and may contact the Admissions Team for process-related queries or Dr Ali Malik for project-specific questions. This PhD offers the chance to generate actionable insights for national policy and guidance, inform future policy development, and contribute to improving emergency management and crisis response in urban settings.